LIBR 220-04
LIBR 220-13
Resources and Information Services in Professions and Disciplines
Topic: Maps, GIS, and Map Librarianship
Fall 2008 Greensheet
Dr. Susan Aber
E-mail
Phone (Home): 620-343-2802
Phone (Work):
620-341-5977 (w)
Phone calls should be between 7:00 a.m. & 9:00 p.m. CDT/CST.
Office location: Emporia, Kansas and online.
Office hours: Virtually by email, telephone, discussion board, and Elluminate sessions. I will respond to messages within 24 hours and notify you in advance when I will be unavailable. Informal Elluminate session office hours will be scheduled as needed (except in August); Elluminate meeting times will be given in course announcements at least one week in advance and participation is voluntary unless otherwise agreed upon.
| Greensheet Links Textbooks and Readings Course Requirements |
Resources Blackboard Blackboard Tutorials SLIS eBookstore |
Students must self-enroll for this course on Blackboard prior to the first day of classes. The semester begins on August 25 and a message with the access code will be sent to you via my.sjsu after August 18, 2008.
Course Textbook: Enrolled students may order the course textbook directly from the publisher at a 40% discount. Instructions and the discount code should be emailed to you by your instructor or Debbie Faires.
Course Description
According to the SJSU catalog, LIBR220 is an "examination of the nature of resources for, and services to, professions and disciplines including methods of communication, characteristics of researchers and other users, and current methods of meeting research needs in libraries and information centers" (http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/classes/coursedesc.htm).
As a part of this LIBR220 series, this course is focused on maps, geographic information systems (GIS), and map librarianship. The course is designed to acquaint students with cartographic resources including both print and electronic maps, visual imagery (e.g., aerial and satellite images), and other geospatial information. Students will gain an understanding of cartographic concepts such as map scales, projections, symbols, types and formats, as well as acquiring geospatial data for electronic mapping and map display using GIS. In addition, the course is designed to introduce students to services and duties unique to map librarianship and geoscience library liaisons when a client-centered focus is adopted. Students will gain an understanding of reference services and collection management through assessing cartographic teaching and researching information needs, as well as and acquiring and managing cartographic resources in print and digital formats.
This course is designed for interested students who have a desire to learn about mapping resources to help other people. No prior knowledge of geography or geoscience in general is assumed. All students are welcome whether or not you navigate using global positioning system technology or familiar landmarks. This course will benefit the geospatially challenged and geography bee winner alike.
Course Prerequisites: LIBR 210 Reference & Information Services, which has a prerequisite of LIBR 202 Information Retrieval (http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/classes/coursedesc.htm). According to SJSU SLIS policy, course prerequisite rules have no exceptions.
Course Objectives
The overall objective of this course is for students to learn basic resources and services that map librarians or geoscience library liaisons provide to assist clients who need and use print and electronic maps, geospatial information and data, and geographic information systems.
After completion of this course students should be able to:
- understand the basics of map librarianship including an introduction to maps, map libraries, and geographic information & library school education;
- describe the role & infrastructure of geospatial information & geolibraries in society;
- identify cartographic concepts such as map scales, projections, symbols, types and formats, as well as basics of topographic maps;
- appreciate the basics of classifying & cataloging maps and geospatial information;
- understand geoscience reference & library liaison services including collection management and map storage & care;
- describe access & selection for cartographic resources and geospatial data & information, both print and electronic maps, visual imagery (e.g., aerial and satellite images), and other geospatial information;
- identify cartographic resources and geospatial data & information acquisition for electronic mapping and creating map displays using geographic information systems methods;
- appreciate future trends in and marketing of map library resources and services.
This course supports the following SLIS Core Competencies:
- recognize the social, cultural and economic dimensions of information use;
- use the basic concepts and principles related to the creation, evaluation, selection, acquisition, preservation and organization of specific items or collections of information;
- demonstrate proficiency in the use of current information and communication technologies, and other related technologies, as they affect the resources and uses of libraries and other types of information providing entities;
- use service concepts, principles and techniques that facilitate information access, relevance, and accuracy for individuals or groups of users;
- understand the nature of research, research methods and research findings; retrieve, evaluate and synthesize scholarly and professional literature for informed decision-making by specific client groups;
- demonstrate oral and written communication skills necessary for group work, collaborations and professional level presentations;
- contribute to the cultural, economic, educational and social well-being of our communities.
Textbooks and Readings
Required Text
- Abresch, J., Hanson, A., Heron, S. J., & Reehling, P. J. (2008). Integrating geographic information systems into library services:
A guide for academic libraries. Hershey, PA: Information Science Publishing. ISBN: 978-1-59904-726-3; 318 pp.
If you order the book directly from the IGI publisher, you will receive 40% off the suggested retail price. Full price US $99.95. If you have not received instructions & the discount code, email me (saber@emporia.edu).
Recommended Books for Students with Specific Interests:
Map Librarianship
- Larsgaard, M. L. (1998). Map librarianship an introduction (3rd ed.). Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.
- Smith, L. C., & Gluck, M. (ed.) (1996). Geographic information systems and libraries: Patrons, maps, and spatial information. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: Graduate School of Library and Information Science.
Classification and Cataloging
- Andrew, P. G., & Larsgaard, M. L. (1999). Maps and related cartographic materials: Cataloging, classification, and bibliographic control. NY: The Haworth Press, Inc.
- Andrew, P. G. (2003). Cataloging sheet maps the basics. NY: The Haworth Press, Inc.
Geographic Information Systems
- Clarke, K. C. (2003). Getting started with geographic information systems (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
- Breslin, P., Frunzi, N., Napoleon, E., & Ormsby, T. (1996-1998). Getting to know ArcView GIS the geographic information system (GIS) for everyone. Redlands, CA: ESRI Press.
- Ormsby, T., Napoleon, E., Burke, R., Groess, C., & Feaster, L. (2004). Getting to know ArcGIS desktop: Basics of ArcView, ArcEditor, and ArchInfo. Redland, CA: ESRI Press.
Maps & Mapmakers
- Dorling, D., & Fairbairn, D. (1997). Mapping: Ways of representing the world. NY: Pearson-Prentice Hall.
- Ross, V. (2003). The road to there: Mapmakers and their stories. Plattsburgh, NY: Tundra Books. [Mr. Christie’s Book Award winner – considered juvenile literature.]
- Whitfield, P. (1994). The image of the world: 20 centuries of world maps. San Francisco, CA: Pomegranate Artbooks.
Suggested Online Readings:
This list will be provided throughout the course along with specific course lectures and activities. Details will be on the course outline in the course Blackboard website. However, some examples of map and geoscience libraries, as well as an online reading are given below:
- Pennsylvania State University Map Library, http://www.libraries.psu.edu/maps/ and research guide, http://www.libraries.psu.edu/instruction/format/maps.htm.
- Geocaching for Libraries. Presented by Linda Musser from Pennsylvania State University, at the Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, Utah, October 2005. To access this power point presentation, visit http://www.libraries.psu.edu/emsl/staff/linda.html and page down to Selected Presentations and http://www.libraries.psu.edu/emsl/staff/linda/Geocaching for Libraries.ppt.
Course Requirements
Course Format
This course is entirely online and will rely on Blackboard and online websites. Blackboard will be used as a platform for readings, assignments, and discussions. All assignments must be your own work with properly cited and referenced sources. The citation and reference style for written assignments is APA, which is consistent with SJSU SLIS policy.
Assignments
- Outcome: Know the foundations and structure of maps, geographic information systems, and map librarianship.
Assessment: All students will complete assignments on various aspects of maps and map librarianship and participate in discussion forum topics (worth 50% of their total grade). An effort to complete activities on schedule is important. - Outcome: Locate, evaluate, and utilize cartographic and geospatial information/data resources.
Assessment: All students will be required to participate in discussion forum topics and contribute to a Google Docs project assessing and annotating cartographic resources (worth 20% of their total grade). Participation includes thoughtful contributions to class discussions and the annotation project. - Outcome: Demonstrate in-depth understanding of map librarian services.
Assessment: All students are required to use information gathered from semester course readings and assignments to create an online presentation related to mapping resources or map library services (worth 30% of their total grade). Details and project suggestions are forthcoming.
Course Calendar
A course calendar is shown below, yet activities and project due dates are subject to change with fair notice. The Blackboard course webpage will be available with more detail on August 18.
- 8/25-9/3 Topic: Introduction to map librarianship, geographic information & library school education. Readings & Assignments: Textbook chapters 1 & 9; course lectures 1 & 2; discussion forum participation: Topic 1 (to be announced - TBA); Activity 1: Getting to Know You (due on or before 9/3) & Activity 2: Listserv Lurking: Monitoring Map Librarian to Librarian Support Groups (due on or before 10/1).
- 9/3-9/10 Topic: The role & infrastructure of geospatial information & geolibraries in society. Readings & Assignments: Textbook chapters 2 & 3; discussion forum participation: Topic 2 (TBA).
- 9/10-9/24 Topic: Cartographic concepts such as map scales, projections, symbols, types and formats, as well as basics of topographic maps. Readings & Assignments: Course lecture 3; Activity 3: Topographic Map Concepts & Symbols.
- 9/24-10/1 Topic: Introduction to classifying & cataloging maps and geospatial information. Readings & Assignments: Textbook chapter 4; course lecture 4; Activity 4: Exploring Classification Systems.
- 10/1-10/22 Topic: Geoscience reference & library liaison services/Collection management policy, map storage & care. Readings & Assignments: Textbook chapters 7 & 8; course lectures 5, 6, & 7; discussion forum participation: Topic 3: Reflections & Synthesis of Activity 2; Activity 5: Exploring Reference Desk Basics.
- 10/22-11/5 Topic: Access & Selection of cartographic resources and geospatial data & information. Readings & Assignments: Textbook chapter 6; course lecture 8; discussion forum participation: Topic 4 - Discussion on resource annotation project; Final Project topic chosen/approved on or before 10/26.
- 11/5-11/19 Topic: Geospatial data & information acquisition for electronic mapping and creating map displays using geographic information systems methods. Readings & Assignments: Textbook chapter 5; course lecture 9; Activity 6: Utilizing GIS through Web-based Map Servers.
- 11/19-12/10 Topic: What the Future Holds & Promotion/Marketing the Map Library Collection. Readings & Assignments: Textbook chapter 10; course lecture 10; Final Project (due on or before 11/26) & online presentation (beginning 12/3).
Grading & Policies
The assignments will contribute to your final grade as follows:
| Activities | 50% |
| Participation | 20% |
| Final Research Project | 30% |
Details on due dates and grading for course opportunities will be detailed in Blackboard assignments page. Extra credit options may be available, and penalties may be assessed for late work unless there are extraordinary circumstances.
Grading Scale
The standard SJSU SLIS Grading Scale is utilized for all SLIS courses:
| 97-100 | A |
| 94-96 | A- |
| 91-93 | B+ |
| 88-90 | B |
| 85-87 | B- |
| 82-84 | C+ |
| 79-81 | C |
| 76-78 | C- |
| 73-75 | D+ |
| 70-72 | D |
| 67-69 | D- |
| Below 67 | F |
In order to provide consistent guidelines for assessment for graduate level work in the School, these terms are applied to letter grades:
- C represents Adequate work; a grade of "C" counts for credit for the course;
- B represents Good work; a grade of "B" clearly meets the standards for graduate level work;
- A represents Exceptional work; a grade of "A" will be assigned for outstanding work only.
Students are advised that it is their responsibility to maintain a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0.
Academic Integrity
Your own commitment to learning, as evidenced by your enrollment at San José State University, and the University's Academic Integrity Policy requires you to be honest in all your academic course work. Faculty members are required to report all infractions to the Office of Student Conduct and Ethical Development. The policy on academic integrity can be found at http://sa.sjsu.edu/student_conduct.
Plagiarism
All assignments submitted must be your own work. Sources must be properly cited as stated above. The San Jose State University regulations governing plagiarism will be enforced. Those regulations may be found at: http://info.sjsu.edu search option: Academic Dishonesty; and http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/S07-2.pdf for the current Academic Senate policy.
Incompletes
Incompletes will be granted only in rare and extreme emergency situations. Students who cannot fulfill all the work for a course due to a medical or family emergency may be assigned an Incomplete only if arrangements are made with the instructor. Please see the University policy on incompletes info.sjsu.edu/web-dbgen/narr/soc-fall/rec-15.html
Reasonable Accommodation of Disabilities
If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability,
please e-mail me as soon as possible. Presidential Directive 97-03 requires
that students with disabilities register with the Disability Resource Center
(DRC) to establish record of their disability.
No matter where students reside, they should contact the SJSU DRC to register. The DRC Web site: http://www.drc.sjsu.edu/
One Washington Square - San José, California USA, 95192-0029
Phone: 408-924-2490
Contact the webmaster
